They include public hearings on a proposed major revision of the city's zoning ordinance, amendments to the county's zoning ordinance to bring its provisions on cell towers into conformance with state law and the Federal Communications Commission, and amendments to the city and county subdivision regulations tightening up requirements for providing sidewalks.

The city's zoning ordinance re-write is probably the most far-reaching of the proposed changes; it sailed through a March 18 workshop of the Henderson City Commission, which sent it back to the planning commission for a formal recommendation on passage by the City Commission.

The changes would create a new zoning district -- residential-5 -- aimed at allowing denser single-family developments, and home occupations would be allowed in every residential zoning district in the city. There would be more restrictions on the types of businesses allowed in the central business district -- no tattoo parlors, pawn shops, car lots or storage facilities -- and there would be tighter regulations on itinerant vendors.

The planning commission meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the top-floor meeting room of the Henderson Municipal Center. Other items on the agenda include:
Subdivision rules: The proposed changes would make it harder to get a waiver on the requirement to provide sidewalks. "Sidewalks will be required now within the city limits and the urban service area," said Assistant Planner Curt Freese. "The only waiver that would be allowed would be for the exterior sidewalk along arterial highways. It would have to be a major roadway." The urban service area -- where future city growth is expected -- is currently being changed, he noted. "They're moving it in on the south because most of the growth is going out U.S. 60-East."
Cell towers: Currently cell towers are OK'd as conditional use permits by the city or county Board of Zoning Adjustment. "That's being removed" because it's not in compliance with state and federal regulations, Freese said. The proposed regulations encourage towers to be placed on public property when feasible, although they may be allowed in any zone when approved by the planning commission. The proposed regulations also say that entire tower permit applications, except for maps, will be confidential as proprietary business information.

GTE Wireless: The planning commission has received a request from GTE Wireless of the Midwest Inc., doing business as Verizon Wireless, to place a cell tower at 2117 Greenlick Baptist Church Road.

River City Metals: The planning commission will consider a request from River City Metals Inc. and ML Arnold and Associates to build a recycling facility at 5249 Commerce Court off of Industrial Park Drive.

Reed property: Jeffery and Crystal Stone and Clarence Swearer are asking permission to consolidate property at 10528 West Pikes Landing Road, which is in a flood hazard area.